Category Archives: Christian Life

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Negativity Can Be Met and Changed

Do you notice a problem? Have you ever felt irritated? Of course. Yes, we all get irritated, out of sorts, or even angry. I’m not one who gets angry very often, but I do get frustrated or in a bad mood. Although, today I am less perturbed than I used to be. I like to think that I have grown over the past few years. But if I am not careful, I slide back into that hole. Every day I have to keep after it, and I mean that.

We are either going forward or backward. We never stay the same. It helps to take stock of what we say and do. If you start the day off with a prayer…you are on your way to having a better than good day. You are bringing God close. You are thinking on Him. About Him. For Him. If your prayer keeps God close as in a conversational tone, you can really tell He is close, interested, and available. You can even ask Him to show you that He is with you.

It’s not that we aren’t supposed to have problems, that’s just not the case. But He is close, willing and able to help us with the problems. He is there waiting for us to call upon Him. We sometimes have to call upon Him many times, and that’s okay. Other times, He is ready to jump in. God waits for us to call upon Him. The relationship keeps going deeper and deeper. It is really quite beautiful when you think about it. He wants us to become compatible with Himself.

My journey with God is becoming a stronger faith walk. As I grow, I trust more; as I trust more I am showing God that I am stronger than I used to be…and that’s good. In fact, that’s great!

There are times when we get stuck in a rut. We can’t seem to get out of the rut though we try. During those times we must be patient. God is teaching us to wait, rest, and trust: Wait till He is willing to move us: Rest until the time is right (you’re active while you wait and rest): Trust Him through the ups and downs. You will find that the Lord has taught you during your time of waiting, resting, and trusting. It will amaze you what you have learned during this time.

Almost two years ago I found myself struggling to get my life going in a basic way forward. I knew how but I couldn’t seem to move forward with any traction. It seemed as if I was stuck in one place for a few months. I got discouraged. I didn’t complain to others but I assumed they could tell. I was ready to quit my blog for I didn’t have much to say. The truth is, God has me delving into a different direction. He wants me to learn a few new things. He has some things He want to show me. It is amazing the direction He is leading me. It is all new. I’m learning new things and that is good, very good. Later on I will share what he is teaching me, but not now.

Maybe you are learning a few things. I’d love to hear your thoughts. God has kept me quiet for two and a half years for a reason. He wants me to listen. He wants me to think about the things He is showing me. He wants me to get rid of some things, too. God wants to teach us. He is always making us new, brand new.

Praise Him for this.

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Push, Relax, Contemplate, Rejoice

i just finished rereading The Horse and His Boy., by C. S. Lewis, one of the books in The Chronicles of Narnia series. I’ve read it before but it had been a long time. Shasta, a poor fisherman’s boy, knows little besides work. After awhile he learns that he isn’t the fisherman’s son. He leaves the fisherman and goes off on his own adventure. Through circumstances he meets with Aravis, a female runaway. The plot thickens. I don’t want to spoil the ending, so I’ll leave it there. I don’t know about you, but I can relate to Shasta.

Much in life I slightly understand but not in full. Like many of you, I am reaching forward, but I am unsure of what exactly I am reaching for. I want to grow as a Christian but I’m not always sure if I am going in the right direction. I keep on, though. I become more discerning as I grow older. The more I learn, the more I grow and the more I share the love of God. The more I share the love of God, the more like Him I become. There comes a point where you desire to rest in Jesus, really rest.You are entering the deeper walk with God, then. It is a wonderful joy-filled walk when your vision is focused on God, and nothing else.

There comes a point when your vision alters. We can do so much, but really, God is bringing us along until we want Him more than anything else. We desire Him. We want Him. He means the world to us. It’s hard to know why, but He gives and gives and doesn’t stop giving. The cool thing is that He gives us more than we had before. But we weren’t ready to receive more like we are now. There are times when the pace slows and we seek little by little. We aren’t really doing anything but God still seeks us. Then we leap ahead taking giant steps. God is in it all. He teaches us as we go. He knows where He is taking us.

There are some periods when our life seems out of sorts. We keep trying but the path get gnarled. We try to make it come out all right but it becomes more troublesome or the problems multiply. We keep striving but the way seems invisible. What can you do then? Remain faithful. Don’t become bitter. Help where ever you can. Read God’s word. Meditate. Think about what God is saying to you. You might get some counsel from a Christian counselor. Some things are beyond your ability. Accept that. Keep moving forward even if no one else can tell you are. It is helpful to thank the Lord for the many good things in your life. Even the grass we walk on is worth praising God for. Even that we have food to eat is worth giving praise and thanks to God.

If someone, a Christian, perhaps. keeps taking the conversation down a negative path, if you can’t stop them and you really tried, then limit your time with them. Be with people that build toward a better future. They put into our lives and we need that. Encourage others. Change the subject when necessary. You’ll be glad you did. We can be too negative. That kills the inner spirit. God makes the day beautiful. Look at the clouds, the sun, moon, and stars. Thank God for them. He has blessed us with so much.

So, kick back today. Look around you. Thank God for something you see. Thank Him for your best friend. Help someone. Praise God. Enjoy Him. Seek Him. Help someone. Call someone you haven’t talked to in awhile. Fill you soul with eternal blessings. Look in your house, then thank Him for a few of the things that have come your way. Look at something beautiful. Let its beauty fill you up to overflowing. God cares about you. God wants to help you. Let Him.